Encountering Once More (3)
Ding-a-ling, ding-a-ling.
The bell rang out.
A signal that it was time for lunch.
I rose from my seat and stepped out of the library, where a simple meal had been laid out on the table I'd seen earlier.
A disciple of the Blazing Fusion Palace bowed politely and said,
“Given the location, the meal is rather modest. We appreciate your understanding.”
Well, it made sense—they wouldn't bring soup or noodles to a place like this.
On the table were tea and dumplings.
I wasn't here to savor gourmet cuisine anyway, so this was more than enough.
I smiled and replied,
“I wouldn't want to set a full spread in a room full of precious books either. This is plenty.”
“Thank you for your understanding.”
Dumplings were a common lunch food regardless.
Most folks skipped lunch altogether. Being able to eat it was a sign of wealth in itself.
“Oh, and have my guards outside eaten?”
“I don't believe so, sir.”
“Please see to it that they get some food too.”
“Understood.”
“And they're probably standing the whole time—bring some chairs so they can sit.”
“Yes, sir.”
I quickly polished off the dumplings and returned to the library.
There were still plenty of books left to read.
.
.
.
.
Only as the sun set was I finally able to finish the books Young Master Maeng Cheon had selected for me.
Phew, that was exhausting.
I stretched and stood up.
Time to head back.
Tomorrow was the conference—I couldn't pull an all-nighter.
Before that, I needed to return the books I'd looked at to their proper places.
I'd hoped Young Master Maeng Cheon might help, but he'd already left.
No helping it.
Fortunately, I remembered where each one belonged.
Boastful as it sounds, I have a pretty good memory.
And so, I wheeled the cart around, slotting each book back one by one.
That was when it happened.
“Hm?”
A certain book caught my eye.
[Nine Ways to Make Blazing Fusion Palace Eat Dirt]
Huh? Why would a book like this be in the library?
The title was so blatant, the Blazing Fusion Palace folks would have tossed it out on sight.
But given our ties to the North Sea Ice Palace, I couldn't just ignore it.
I glanced around, then pulled it from the shelf.
And opened it.
“Ugh!”
Suddenly, the book began forcibly sucking in my energy.
A demonic scripture?
Had to be.
Nothing else would drain someone's energy like that!
I tried to drop it immediately, but...
Long time no see, successor.
Words floated up from the page.
And with them, my vision shifted.
.
.
.
.
“Long time no see.”
I looked up at the familiar voice. The Patriarch was gazing down at me.
“Patriarch?”
“That's right. It's me.”
I scratched my head and stood.
“I was definitely in the Blazing Fusion Palace library. Did you set this up there too?”
“I figured my successor would end up there eventually.”
“Even so, 'Nine Ways to Make Blazing Fusion Palace Eat Dirt'? Anyone else would have burned it on the spot!”
“But it hooked your curiosity, didn't it?”
“W-Well, yeah.”
Couldn't deny that.
“Don't worry. To others, it looks like something else entirely.”
“What?”
“Something like 'Reflections on Ancient Texts: The History and Traditions of Blazing Fusion Palace' or whatever.”
“A title no one would touch.”
“Heh heh heh. Exactly.”
That explained why it was still around.
I said to the Patriarch,
“Anyway, I got a scare when the book suddenly drained my energy.”
“You know how touchy the Blazing Fusion Palace lot can be.”
True—that's probably why they'd sensed blood aura from the Blood Heaven Gate and Dao Harmony Sect.
“Couldn't infuse it with my own energy. Too suspicious if it reeked of chill.”
“So you used my internal energy to activate the setup?”
“Precisely.”
I nodded. That much made sense.
“So why summon me this time?”
Through his arrangements, I'd mastered the true essence of the Twelve Mystic Sword Forms, properly learned the Ice Sea Harmony Heart Technique and Ice Sea Freezing Art, and even picked up the Extreme Yin Chaos Ice Thrust.
Honestly, felt like I'd learned it all... Was there more?
“Didn't the title say?”
“Pardon?”
“To teach you how to make Blazing Fusion Palace eat dirt.”
There was clear animosity in his voice.
But it felt milder than outright hatred... wariness, maybe?
“Um... Patriarch, were there no Ice Flame Conferences back in your day?”
“There were. That's why I left this here.”
“R-Right.”
“I created the damn thing myself.”
I hadn't known that. Even Little Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin hadn't mentioned it.
“The Blazing Fusion Palace lord kept acting up, so I beat some sense into him and forced the conferences.”
Just one beating? Doubtful.
Probably turned him into pulp.
That would explain why these mortal enemies had agreed to a truce.
“Having them snoop around is annoying enough—don't need them stirring up trouble.”
“...Yeah. It'd piss you off.”
“Even with the truce and regular conferences, you never know when things might sour. Hence the arrangement.”
“To keep Blazing Fusion Palace in line?”
“Just them?”
“Huh?”
“The Ice Palace could turn too. Truth be told, their lord didn't want the truce either—took a lot to calm him down.”
“You must have sweet-talked the Ice Palace lord real nice.”
Figured—as old friends, he'd cajoled him with kindness.
But the Patriarch shattered that illusion.
“Like hell. Told him I'd kill him if he didn't listen.”
“......”
I was speechless.
“Ahem. Anyway, that's why Snow Wind Palace's role is crucial.”
In other words, keep both sides from getting ideas and sparking pointless conflicts.
“What I'm teaching you this time is the Extreme Ice Sword.”
“Extreme Ice Sword? First I've heard of it.”
“Really? Good thing I left this! One of Snow Wind Palace's signature arts nearly vanished.”
“That serious?”
I tilted my head.
“Isn't the pinnacle Snow Harmony Sword Technique?”
“Snow Harmony?”
I cautiously explained at his questioning tone.
“Yes. From what I know, only the Palace Lord and Little Palace Lord learn it...”
I described what I knew of the Snow Harmony Sword Technique.
A sword art that performed at peak in any environment, especially devastating in snow.
The Patriarch nodded.
“Ah, that one. It wasn't originally limited to them.”
So I'd been right.
“They restricted it because it's so advanced—and tricky. Training alone isn't enough to master it.”
“I see.”
I recounted my training regimen.
Practicing in the rain, in water tanks made to mimic swamps...
The Patriarch grinned at my tale of grueling effort.
“You're training right.”
“Pardon?”
It was actually the proper method!
“But even then, it's only half the art. You might think this strange, but...”
He continued.
“What?”
Not a sword art? What did that mean?
“It's not bound by forms or stances. You'll realize that someday far off.”
Ah, so that's why it only had one form.
“I've left an arrangement for that too—you'll face it eventually.”
He went on.
“Mastering the Extreme Ice Sword I'm teaching now will bring you a step closer.”
So the arrangements had an order?
“Understood. I'll listen closely.”
“Good attitude.”
His eyes turned serious.
“Child, how do you think we keep Blazing Fusion Palace down?”
Hm?
Did he just call me child?
The honorific changed...
“Slow to answer.”
“Ah! Sorry, I was thinking. I believe it's by having stronger chill energy.”
“Wrong.”
“It's not?”
“No. The best way to beat fire is with even stronger fire.”
I couldn't help but be puzzled.
Stronger fire?
“But Patriarch, our Snow Wind Palace arts are chill-based. Stronger fire would mean fire arts, right?”
“No. Our Snow Wind arts can wield fire just fine.”
He extended his hand.
My Silver Mist Sword at my waist was suddenly in his grasp.
As he gathered energy, ripples stirred the air.
The Silver Mist Sword glowed.
Its white light gradually shifted to blue.
“Touch the blade.”
I cautiously tapped it.
“Ow! Hot!”
I yanked my hand back and blinked.
Wait... did I just say hot?
“Hot, right?”
“Yes. It was.”
“Layer chill upon chill to the extreme yin, and it feels hot instead. Technically frostbite, but so severe it registers as burns.”
“I see.”
“Fire's nature is heat too. So we counter heat with heat.”
“A matter of imagery, then?”
“Exactly!”
He looked pleased.
“And since it's still ice sword, it counters their fire arts perfectly.”
“Hit 'em from the front with ice, scorch from behind.”
He nodded at my summary.
“It'll help against Ice Palace folk too.”
Definitely.
Snow Wind arts were superior, but not quite to North Sea Ice Palace level.
Explained why the two palaces were equals.
Mastery of layered chill to ignite inner fire.
“No time. Draw your sword.”
The Silver Mist Sword was back in my hand.
Shing.
I drew it.
Wonder how long this'll take?
Already dreading it... this training would be long and brutal, no doubt.
Ah, why the tears?
.
.
.
I opened my eyes.
Shelves crammed with books filled my view.
Back.
I looked at my hands.
The book was gone.
To learn Extreme Ice Sword, I'd been burned countless times... weird to say burned by ice.
Anyway, the scorched spots were fine now.
Torn clothes too.
Of course... my body didn't go to the arrangement—my soul did.
Even knowing that, it was brutal this time.
Felt like three years passed.
When I grumbled about the endless grind, the Patriarch snapped, 'You think a signature art like this can be learned in three hours?'
Phew...
I sighed and slumped down.
Everything I learned through his arrangements always came in handy later...
No way?
Nah, calm down. Nothing'll happen.
I steadied myself, finished shelving the books, and left the library.
As I dragged my weary body out, Yeo Eung-am Warrior and Chang-un Warrior rose quickly from their chairs to greet me.
Faces I hadn't seen in three years—felt like reuniting with old friends.
Though they wouldn't know it.
“You're out, young master?”
“Yes. Let's head back.”
I returned to my quarters and had a simple dinner.
“Any gains today?”
I nodded at Little Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin's question.
“Yes. A meaningful day.”
I continued,
“Sorry for stepping out tomorrow's conference for personal reasons.”
“Personal reasons?”
She shook her head gently.
“If it were truly personal, Silver Little Palace Lord wouldn't vanish all day. Right?”
“......”
Too sharp for her own good.
I chuckled and changed the subject.
“Shall we discuss the conference, then?”
“Yes.”
At that moment, Seo-hyang's eyes, who was eating dinner, went blank.
What was that?
After a moment, her gaze cleared, and she looked at me.
“Um... there's something I need to tell you.”
.
.
.
The next morning.
After breakfast, I donned formal robes for the conference.
Tailored by North Sea Ice Palace: white silk embroidered with silver thread in lavish patterns.
To clearly mark affiliation and uphold the dignity befitting the occasion.
As I emerged in the robes, Palgap exclaimed,
“Wow! As expected of our young master! You look so radiant, even the clothes shine!”
“I do pull it off well.”
Palgap turned serious at my words.
“Young master, when I compliment you, just stay quiet.”
Why am I getting scolded?
I scratched my cheek and left the quarters.
After waiting in the courtyard about fifteen minutes, Little Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin appeared.
She too was stunning in her white formal robes.
“Let's go.”
“Yes.”
We followed the welcoming party to the conference hall and took our seats.
Moments later, the doors opened, and the Blazing Fusion Palace Lord entered.
“Apologies. Our little palace lord had an urgent matter and couldn't attend. I'm here in her stead.”
But Little Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin and I weren't surprised.
Seo-hyang had warned us last night. And she'd mentioned one other thing.
That was...
Ah... they're arriving now.
